4112
BOOKREVIEWS
Metal Carbonyls and Related Compounds, J. Chatt, P. L. Pauson and L. M. Venanzi. The chapters are uniformly excellent and the personality of the authors and their methods of delineating a research problem are evident. In a few cases, the bulk of the work in the field has been done in an author’s laboratory, so that coverage is rather complete. This is particularly true of the chapters by H . C. Brown and by H. Zeiss. Inorganic chemists have entered the field of organometallics with chief emphasis on complexes of the transition elements. This reviewer was particularly impressed with the remarkable new syntheses of organic compounds. From an organic point of view, the best is yet to come. In fact a recent publication by Hubel and Hoogzand describes the synthesis of 1,2,4-tri-t-butylbenzene,a compound of a type which has defied synthesis by classical methods. An excellent beginning in the field of organic synthesis via transition metal complexes has been made by Zeiss and his co-workers with their syntheses of various methyl-wbstituted aromatics. The role of the other metals in organic chemistry is well illustrated in the chapters on benzyne chemistry, organboranes and organo-aluminum compounds. All these chapters show that each new organometallic provides a unique chemistry with important contributions to both fundamental science and to industry. The newest of these is the elegant hydroboration reaction; this reviewer finds some interesting similarities between hydroboration and the cobalt-catalyzed hydroformylation reaction. The book is recommended for all chemists. Those interested in catalysis (especially heterogeneous catalysis involving transition metals) would do well t o read this book. Some of their postulated intermediates may have been synthesized. The book is up-to-date with over 1700 references, including many to work published in 1960. The figures and formulas are clear, the type is legible, and the binding is excellent. BUREAU OF MINES AVENUE IRVING WENDER 4800 FORBES PA. PITTSBURGH,
Vol. 83
(18; 25 pages) with comments on various methods, covered in the instant volume only, of forming selected ring types including heterocycles; (5) the main body of the collected and classified syntheses (140; 104 pages); (6) tables of additional examples (89; 48 pages); and (7) a table giving cross references t o all preparations of all cyclic compounds in Volumes I-VI11 (33 pages). There are several noteworthy features relative to these sections that deserve comment. The system of classification comes off rather well and this is fortunate because the success of the undertaking depends thereon. There are 20 subdivisions and 54 sub-subdivisions of the classifications of reactions in Vol. VI1 and in Vol. VIII. 15 and 44. This diversity, a total of 98 separate reaction types, is more apparent than real, however: as of Vol. VI1 nearly one-third is devoted to the Dieckmann condensation and some closely related aldol-type cyclizations, another third t o intramolecular benzenoid alkylations and acylations, and a relatively lengthy section t o the Fischer indole synthesis. Some of the minor reaction types are bizarre enough to interest the most unimpressionable. Vol. VI11 covers the diene synthesis in 60 pages of text and tables (onethird of the volume.) This is supported by a very valuable collection of recent references. Of 206 cited in the appropriate applications section, 100 are since 1950. There are many more references cited in the Table of additional examples. The hazard is that the classification according to formation of bond types presupposes a knowledge of the B commechanism of the reaction. Thus, whether A bine to give a cyclic compound C or react to give D which cyclizes to C determines whether a reaction will be classified as intra- (Vol. VII) or inter- (Vol. VIII) molecular. The diene synthesis, which appears in Vol. VIII, is an example. How much the ambiguities arising from this situation will hamper the user of the volumes probably will depend on the individual and the type of use he attempts. In fact, the reviewer has found, as he has gone over the system looking for omissions or peculiar classifications, that the absence of some reaction within a given code group where it might appear was an interesting indication of possibly untried reactions. I t appears, however, that this type of treatise should be used as a source of collected information about types of syntheses and not about synthesis of a given type of compound. Its function and purpose is t o codify reactions-not productsCahiers de Synthsse Organique. MBthodes et Tableaux D’Application. Volume VII. Cyclisations. By JEAN and its utility should be related thereto. Mechanisms of the reactions are discussed with the reacMATHIEU,ANDR$ALLAIS,ET JACQUES VALLS. Published under the direction of Leon Velluz. Masson et Cie., tion itself. Thus, the mechanism of the diene reaction is 120 boulevard Saint-Germain. Paris 6, France. 1961. covered briefly in Vol. VIII, p. 93, and that of the Fischer in309 pp. 15.5 X 22.5 cm. Price, broch6, 100 N F , dole synthesis in Vol. VII, p. 183. The mechanisms of some of the reactions, such as the Dieckmann and aldol types, cartonne toile, 110 NF. have been discussed in previous volumes with their acyclic Cahiers de Synthgse Organique. MBthodes et Tableaux counter-parts. The volumes are replete with examples D’Application. Volume VIII. Cyclisations. By JEAN taken from the literature of the last few years It should be MATHIEU, ANDRBALLAIS,ET JACQUES VALLS. Published noted that the formations of many heterocycles are discussed. under the direction of Leon Velluz. Masson et Cie., 120 These volumes are probably the most useful of their type boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris 6, France. 1961. 233 and all organic chemists will surely be appreciative of the pp, 15.5 X 22.5 cm. Price, broche, 75 NF.; cartonne tremendous effort the authors have devoted to the task of toile, 85 NF. assembling this material. It hardly seems appropriate, i.n The organization and objectives of this series of “Ca- view of this, to cite short-comings and omissions. There is hiers” have been described in reviews of previous volumes: no pretense that these volumes exhaustively compile all of J . A m . Chem. SOL, 80, 1773 (1958), for Vol. I; 80, 3802 the known data on organic syntheses. They will be very (1958). for Vol. 11; and 80, 3486.( 1958), for Vol. 111. The valuable for what they are to students and to academic and high standards established previously for the series have industrial chemists. been maintained in Volumes VI1 and VIII. Practicing DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY organic chemists, both academic and industrial, will find UNIVERSITY RICHARD H. WILBY OF LOUISVILLX these volumes interesting and provocative reading and so LOVISVILLE 8, KENTUCKY well-worth careful study that a special point should be made to see that the series is available in their personal and professional libraries. Briefly restated, the series of volumes Cobalt: Its Chemistry, Metallurgy and Uses. ACS Monosystematically organizes organic syntheses in terms of reacgraph 149. Edited by ROLANDS. YOUNG,Consulting tion possibilities, subdivided into chapters dealing with Chemical Engineer, Victoria, B.C. Reinhold Publishing major reaction types, such as alkylation (Vol. 11).acylation Corporation, 430 Park Avenue, New York 22, N. Y. (Vol. IV), cleavage (Vol. V), rearrangement (1701. VI) and 1960. vii 4-124 pp. 16 X 23.5 cm. Price, $15.00. migration (Vol. VI). Volume VI1 consists of chapter 18 on “monomolecular This nionograph contains a good deal of useful information carbocyclizations” or intramolecular cyclizations in which a about cobalt chemistry, evidently selected and organized carbon-carbon bond is formed. Volume VIII consists of with the applied chemist and metallurgist in mind rather chapter 19 on polymolecular (intermolecular) carbocycliza- than the pure research chemist or the classroom. A listing tions. Each chapter (Volume in these two “Cahiers”) con- of principal chapter headings or contents will serve as an sists of (1) a synopsis of reaction types indicated by formulas illustration: Occurrence of Cobalt (25 pp.), Chemical and ( 7 pages, each vol.); (2) a discussion of principles (types of Physical Properties, Simple Compounds, and Cdrdination reaction) involved in the classification given in the synopsis Compounds (10,.14.and 69 pp.); Magnetic, Electrical, and (8 pages, each vol.); (3) a discussion entitled mechanism (2 Electronic Applrcations, Cobalt Alloys, Metallurgical Appages, Vol. VI11 only); (4)a discussion entitled applications plications (27,38 and 10 pp.); Cobalt in Biology and Bio-
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